Clive Lewis MP votes for Tory benefit cap he called “cruel and unnecessary” a year ago
One year ago, Norwich Labour MP Clive Lewis voted for Early Day Motion 1481 in Parliament, which opposed the cap on child tax credit and universal credit for families with more than two children. This was a measure introduced in 2017 by the Conservatives to the detriment of working families across the country.
1.5 million children live in households affected by the two-child limit, and abolishing it would lift 270,000 households out of poverty overnight, so said the motion. One year ago Lewis and Norwich Labour believed it was “cruel and unnecessary”, and that it was a “poverty-producing policy”. Now that the general election is over though, and Labour are in power, he has voted to keep it.
Disappointingly, despite promising to stand up for what he believes in and pressure his party while in government, Mr Lewis has taken the first opportunity to put party before country. Many will also no doubt question why Labour, who spent the general election promising change and renewal, have committed themselves so abruptly against one of the easiest and most effective ways to alleviate child poverty.
In a message to his constituents, he said:
Steffan Aquarone, Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk
“I was particularly proud that my very first vote as a Lib Dem MP was to stand up for children in poverty. The Labour Party have refused to get rid of [the cap] which is a big part of making that problem worse. If you want to help children, there is absolutely no value in financially punishing their parents.”
See his full video message here:
The two-child benefit is wrong, harmful and keeps hundreds of thousands of kids needlessly below the poverty line.
— Steff Aquarone MP (@Steffanaquarone) July 26, 2024
I'll continue to fight to get the cap lifted, and lift children out of poverty. pic.twitter.com/9ZGXnyqlqx
Sean was disappointed in Clive Lewis for failing to stand up for his constituents.
Sean Bennett, Lib Dem Candidate for Norwich South at the 2024 General Election
“There are many people in Norwich who suffer at the hands of the benefit cap, and the Clive of last year was right to call it out as cruel and poverty-producing. Why he has changed his mind on this is beyond me and it will no doubt be disheartening to the thousands who voted for him to ‘get the Tories out’ only to see Tory cruelty alive and well.”
Cllr Judith Lubbock
In her speech to move the amendment, Cllr Judith Lubbock said:
"This motion on child poverty goes to the heart of what makes a fair and just society. A society where all children are given the best start in life regardless of home circumstances, the area where they live, or their special needs.
The two-child benefit cap, if it was scrapped, could play an important role in tackling child poverty. It has had a devastating impact, forcing families into poverty, and scrapping it would take 250,000 children out of poverty, and see a further 850,000 children in less deep poverty."
Watch Judith's speech here: